'Electricity error' may close Sheerness pub

A Kent landlady has said she may be forced to close her pub after a mistake by her electricity supplier left her facing a £17,000 bill.

Beverly Auston, from Sheerness, said Npower was demanding immediate payment in full after realising she had been undercharged for several years.

Npower apologised and said it was now trying to recover payment for a proportion of the energy already used.

It said it offered a new reduced price contract, a discount of over £1,600 and a repayment plan, but said it had been unable to reach an agreement and could no longer continue supplying the business without the required payment.